Shooting Down the So-Called Truths of Catholic Group CFC-FFL

In case you’ve managed to steer clear of the bile and vitriol from the pearl-clutching oldies of the Couples for Christ-Foundation for Family and Life (CFC-FFL), we’ll quickly run down the facts (promise, this will be even quicker than the carnal congress of those people):

On June 19, the CCF-FFL unleashed a statement against “One Big Pride,” an event held back in March by the Jesuit-run Ateneo de Manila University, to celebrate the institution’s progressive move toward greater SOGIE (sexual orientation and gender identity and expression) inclusion and acceptance.

(Why it took three months to release an official statement, one could only speculate. Maybe their snail mail arrives by pony express only once a quarter?)

So-called truths

In the statement, it reiterated three “truths:”

One: “There are only two sexes as created by God, that is, male and female. Genders are social constructs, as we see with the continually evolving LGBTQIA+ genders. These have no basis in nature and reality.”

Three: “The LGBT Pride message and its celebration of homosexuality are contrary to the Catholic faith and thus injurious to the faithful, especially the young. We aver that all persons deserve respect and compassion. In reality, gays in the Philippines are well accepted and not just tolerated. They certainly are not discriminated against nor persecuted.”

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Let’s address these so-called facts one by one, shall we?

Firstly: It is apparent that our titos and titas skipped their biology class, conveniently forgetting that hermaphroditism is commonplace among animals, such as worms, snails, slugs, shellfish, and fish. Among humans, the politically correct term we use for those who possess a mix of reproductive features is intersex.

Secondly: If homosexual acts are “intrinsically disordered and contrary to natural law,” then the 1,500 animal species are perhaps all creations of Satan. Or maybe they’re just naturally inclined toward both heterosexuality and homosexuality.

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So why does gay sex get all the flak, then?

And what is this natural law they keep talking about, anyway? Cannibalism, coprophagy, and incest are all part of the “natural order.” (Ever seen hamsters eating their babies?)

Human morality, just like religion, is a social construct. We weigh what we think will be beneficial and good for our communities, and structure our laws accordingly.

Nothing that exists within nature is unnatural. It is people who decide which parts they choose to adopt or discourage.

Acceptance and tolerance

Thirdly: Gay people are accepted and not just tolerated, they say? Did the CFC-FFL just conveniently disregard the absence of a law that will protect LGBTQIA+ people from discrimination in schools and workplaces? Did it forget companies and schools can refuse us employment and education simply because we’re who we are?

Research spearheaded by the Philippine LGBT Chamber of Commerce reveals that only 17 percent of the companies surveyed have anti-discrimination policies on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression. None of those companies are Filipino companies.

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What’s amusing about all of this hubbub is that the group has been glaringly silent on issues like child abuse within the church, as well as the deaths caused by the drug war. (A quick search within its website only churned out a number of statements against the Reproductive Health and SOGIE Equality Bill. Though there’s a piece on how the “liberals and homosexualists” are after its children. “Very diabolical,” they observed.)

Zealots, a word of advice: Nobody is stopping you from practicing your religion. You don’t want to come out as being gay or bi or trans? Not a problem. We won’t lower the rainbow gates so you can come in; feel free to stay outside, by the moat.

If you refuse to listen to the World Health Organization, the American Psychiatric Association, and the many other scientific bodies that have already declared being LGBTQIA+ is not a mental disorder, go crawl under your rock and listen to Jamie Rivera’s “Great Jubilee,” on repeat.

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If you wish to subscribe to the most unscientific, hate-filled parts of your scriptures instead of focusing on the most important commandment that Jesus gave you before he upped and left (John 13:34-35, by the way—saved you a few page flips), by all means, chug up on your poison.

Stop worrying about us: The kids are all right. Now prance along on that high horse and use that free time learning Instagram Stories instead, so you could keep up with the times.

Or better yet: Why not join us at the Pride March this June 29?

Evan Tan is an LGBT+ advocate, communications professional, and startup entrepreneur. He is a founding board member of the Philippine LGBT Chamber of Commerce and the country marketing manager of the leading global gay social networking app Blued. He is also a co-founder of pioneering Philippine tax assistance platform Taxumo. He blogs occasionally at writerinmanila.com.